Come Away

Jesus calls to me saying, 'Come away! Come away with me! Come on, come with me Nicole!' He points toward the mountains and waves me to follow where He is going.

I pause. I look to where He wants me to go. I let out a snort and think to myself, He's crazy!

His voice shakes me from my inward dialog. 'Nicole, let's go, it's time dear one, come on.'

My throat is tight and I'm not sure I can speak. I begin to whisper and I see Him lean forward to hear my faint voice. My eyes glisten as I tell Him, 'I can't Jesus. I can't go with you. Look at that! Look at where you want me to go. I just can't. I don't know why you would even ask me to!'

He is silent as the tears begin to trickle down my cheeks. He takes a step towards me, trying to conceal His pain, Jesus gently say, why not?

'Why?! Are you kidding me? The way is far to rough, I'll fall. The mountain is so steep, I'll get hurt. You are asking me to go somewhere I've never been, to a future that is unknown and not certain. What if I fail? I can't!' By this time I'm trembling with fear and weeping. I see His cheeks wet with tears.

As He comes closer He bends down and looks into my eyes. He says, 'You don't trust me.' I feel my heart break. It wasn't a question, it was a statement of truth. With my eyes closed and my with my head down I say to Him with all of my heart, 'No, but I want to. I want to but I don't know how. What if I fail? Won't you leave me?'

I open my eyes as He lifts my chin. With deep conviction in His voice He tells me, 'I will never leave you. I will never abandon you, never. I will take the burden of the rough places, I will be your strength when you get weak. I have made you for this! I've given you the ability to go through the hard places and climb to the heights. I know you are afraid. Take my hand. I'm yours to hold on to, always, I promise.'

I hear His words and as I allow them to penetrate my fearful heart. I believe Him. I believe He is for me and not against me. I will trust even if it's only a tiny bit. I will choose to trust. I will choose to believe. I will choose to go, to say yes.

And we run!

****

I see You leaping over mountains,

skipping over hills and

all the while you're calling

my name!

*****

Song of Solomon 2:10

Habakkuk 3:19

Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard